By Sheradin Berisha
Memorie.al / After the Liberation War in Kosovo 1998-1999, local politics built on the basis of Resolution 1244 and the many UNMIK regulations has aroused a spirit of alienation of the Albanian national identity in Kosovo. The Kosovar identity, now also sanctioned by Kosovo’s Ahtisaari Constitution, has begun to be forced as a national identity, and in this direction the former pro-Yugoslav Albanian intellectual class (who were once adherents of the creation of the Yugoslav nation), as well as all written and electronic media, which are financed and controlled by UNMIK and the Government of Kosovo, appear to have been put into service. It is well known that: Kosovo has historically been a province populated by over 90% Albanians, and as such it cannot be treated differently, detached from the historical area of the Albanian nation.
Efforts to build a political history for a “multiethnic” Kosovo, by alienating the historically Albanian Kosovo, are in contradiction with the normal development of the Albanian nation in Albanian Kosovo. Hasan Prishtina has said: “First of all, beware of the curse of history and do not forget it when you give your opinion!”
After the Second World War, Kosovo and other Albanian lands (which the Great Powers unjustly separated from the trunk of the Albanian State, proclaimed on 28 November 1912 in Vlora, at the London Conference of 1912-1913) were not only prevented from uniting with their mother Albania, as had been decided at the Bujan Conference (31 December 1943 – 1 and 2 January 1944), but even worse happened: these lands of the Albanian ethnos, after being re-occupied by Chetnik-Partisan forces (1944-1945), were chopped into four pieces within the republics of AVNOJ Yugoslavia.
With the January 1946 constitution of the Federal People’s Republic of Yugoslavia:
– Kosovo was defined as an autonomous district, under the sovereignty of the Republic of Serbia;
– Presheva, Medvegja and Bujanoci (Eastern Kosovo) were somewhat later detached from the ethnic entirety of Kosovo to be placed within the borders of the Republic of Serbia;
– The Albanian ethnic lands (from Prespa-Struga all the way to Kumanovo) were joined to the Republic of Macedonia, and – the ethnic lands of the “Great Highlands” were joined to Montenegro!
Although the Albanian people never reconciled themselves to this bizarre division, after the Second World War they organized in various forms (legal and illegal) to realize their historical aspiration, the liberation of the Albanian lands that remained under Yugoslav (read: Serbo-Slavic) rule and their unification with the mother state-Albania. The Albanian National Movement in Kosovo with the other Albanian ethnic areas already fragmented into three Slavic republics (Serbia, Montenegro, Macedonia) during the years 1945-1999 has passed through several phases of organization for liberation.
1. The first phase of the Albanian National Movement includes the period from 1945 to 1948, and is defined mainly by the activity of the “Albanian National-Democratic Movement” (LNDSH).
Leaders of the LNDSH were the patriots:
– Halim Spahija
– Prof. Ymer Berisha
– Tahir Deda
– Marije Shllaku
– Gjon Serreqi
– Father Bernard Llupi
– Kol Parubi
– Adem Gllavica
– Ukë Sadiku
– Ndue Përlleshi
– Captain Hysni Rudi
– Ajet Gërguri
– Luan Gashi
– Emrush Miftari
– Sokol Dobroshi
– Ibrahim Fehmiu
– Ibrahim Lutfiu
– Hasan Remniku
– Qemal Skënderi
– Halim Orana
– Destan Berisha
– Sadik Tafarshiku
– Hamdi Berisha
– Prof. Ibrahim Kelmendi
– Mulla Idris Gjilani,
– Hysen Tërpeza
– Ejup Binaku
– Bedri Peani
– Ali Riza
– Sylë Zarbinca
– Ahmet Selaci
– Abdyl Dura,
– Demë Ali Pozhari, and many others.
2. The second phase includes the period between 1948-1958 and was known among the people as: “the time of Ranković.” Within this period the illegal political organizations were of various kinds, such as: the continuation of the activity of the LNDSH by various groups with other names, the “informbiroists,” the organization of groupings by the Albanian Security Service, opposition to the “otkup” requisitions, opposition to the assimilation of Albanians into Turks and the fight against the Tito-Qyprili gentlemen’s agreement of 1953 for the emigration of Albanians to Turkey…, the fight in various forms against collectivization, etc.
Representatives of these national groupings were:
– Xheladin Hana
– Nexhat Agolli
– Rifat Berisha
– Xhavit Gafuri
– Hasan Jashari – Likoci,
– Shaban Dërguti
– Hafëz Jakupi
– Bitër Dehalla
– Rizan Xhoxhaj
– Sefer Elezkurtaj
– Hajdar Bytyqi
– Bie Vokshi
– Fetah Bogiqi
– Sami Peja
– Sali Kelmendi
– Konstandin Vasilaca
– Hajrullah Gorani
– Ramiz Osmani
– Xhemil Fluku
– Ramadan Rexha
– Hasan Rema
– Bejtullah Sahiti
– Qazim Zogu
– Ali Aliu
– Omer Qerkezi
– Sabit Kapiti
– Mehmet Gega
– Rexhep Abdullahu
– Nysret Nivokazi
– Emin Fazliu
– Njazi Maloku
– Raif Malaziu
– Enver Dukagjini
– Metush Krasniqi
– Adem Demaçi
– Muhamed Brovina
– Hidë Dobruna… etc.
3. The third phase included the time between 1958-1968 and this period is characterized by the formation of illegal organizations, which would articulate new political and national concepts.
– In 1958 the patriot Metush Krasniqi formed the organization: “Revolutionary Party for the Unification of Albanian Lands with the Mother State” (PRBTSHSHA);
– In 1960-61 the patriots Kadri Halimi and Ali Aliu formed the organization: “Revolutionary Committee for the Unification of Albanian Lands in Yugoslavia-with Albania” (KRBTSHJSH);
– In 1963-64 the symbol of Albanian resistance Adem Demaçi formed: “Revolutionary Movement for the Unification of Albanians” (LRBSH) and within its framework operated the Committee of Prishtina, of Peja, the Committee of Gjakova…!
– In the years 1964-68 operated the group of students (according to the platform of the LRBSH) led by the student Osman Dumoshi. This group was the organizer of the demonstrations of 27 November 1968 in Prishtina, Besian, Peja, Gjilan and Ferizaj.
– In the autumn of 1968 also operated the group of students of the Higher Pedagogical School “Xhevdet Doda” in Prizren (from Prizren, Theranda, Peja, etc.): Meriman Braha, Isa Demaj, Pashk Laçi, Haxhi Maloku, Zymer Neziri, Miftar Bajraktari, Veli Gashi, Nezir Gashi, Sylë Kuçi, Ramadan Blakaj, Xhemail Gashi, etc. These students organized demonstrations: in Prizren (on 6 October 1968), in Theranda – formerly Suharekë (on 8 October) and in Peja (on 19 October 1968).
– The demonstrations of the months of October-November 1968 that were organized in Kosovo had a powerful influence also on the Albanian areas in western Macedonia. The initiators for the organization of the Demonstration in Tetova, on 22/23 December 1968 – were the Albanian students from Tetova, Gostivari, Kumanova…, who studied together with students from Kosovo at the University of Belgrade, Zagreb and in some faculties of Prishtina. On this occasion, at the head of these patriotic activities were placed the teachers: Mehmetriza Myrtezani Gega (Mehmet Gega) from Tetova, who in 1955 was sentenced to 10 years in prison, because of the prevention of the emigration of Albanian families to Turkey;
Hysniqemal Sherifi (who in 1963 was the leader of the patriotic and revolutionary group “Flamuri”), then the students: Faik Mustafa from the village of Shipkovicë, Ramadan Sinani from the village of Gajre, Hysenxhevat Kalishta, Abdylmenaf Rustemi, Arbër Xhaferi, Fehmi Rufati, etc. Open manifestations in the spirit of the demonstrations also took place in: Gostivar, Kërçovë, Kumanovë, Preshevë as well as in Ulqin, where by displaying the national flag the will of the Albanian people for self-determination was expressed.
4. The fourth phase includes the period 1969-1981 and it can be said that it was the period of the flourishing of the illegal Movement in Kosovo…!
The largest illegal groups that characterize this period are:
– The Revolutionary Group formed in 1972 by Kadri Osmani, Xhafer Shatri, etc. (K. Osmani initially in November 1969 had organized the distribution of a pamphlet, through which he manifested the success of the demonstrations of 1968 and for this action he was sentenced to 10 months in prison by the judge Tadej Rodiqi);
– The MLK Group 1976-78, then OMLK 1978…, (as continuators of the “Revolutionary Group” of Kadri Osmani), led by Kadri Zeka, Mehmet Hajrizi, Hydajet Hyseni, Rexhep Mala, Jakup Krasniqi, Gani Sylaj, etc. (In April 1978 Kadri Zeka emigrated to Switzerland),
– “National-Liberation Movement of Kosovo” (1975) headed by Adem Demaçi and the group of Adem Rukiqi;
– Marxist-Leninist Communist Party of Albanians in Yugoslavia-PKMLSHJ (1976…) led by Avdullah Prapashtica;
– National-Liberation Movement of Kosovo and Other Albanian Areas in Yugoslavia (LNÇKVSHJ (1978-February 1982) led by Metush Krasniqi, Jusuf Gërvalla and Sabri Novosella. (In December 1979 Jusuf Gërvalla emigrated to Germany, while Sabri Novosella to Turkey).
During the years 1980-81 in Kosovo, with the program of the LNÇKVSHJ according to the instructions of Jusuf Gërvalla, the Committee of Deçan operated led by: – Ismail Haradinaj, Hasan Ukëhaxhaj, Jashar Salihu, Xhavit Hoxha, etc. and – the Committee of Drenas led by Bajram Gashi… etc.
After the Second World War in the Western states several anti-communist Albanian political groupings operated, such as: Legaliteti, Balli Kombëtar, the Third League of Prizren, various factions within these groupings, etc. Meanwhile, from 1977 in Germany also operated the Albanian National Democratic Besëlidhja, led by Emin Fazlia who called himself Emil Kastrioti, while in 1978 the Red Popular Front-FKP was also formed, led by Ibrahim Kelmendi who had emigrated in 1976 to Bochum, Germany.
5. The fifth phase of the Albanian National Movement in Kosovo and in the other Albanian areas begins with the demonstrations of the spring of 1981 and ends in 1990, at the time when the disintegration of AVNOJ Yugoslavia begins.
– The bearer of the illegal organizations was the Movement for the Republic of Albanians in Yugoslavia-LRSHJ, which according to the theses put forward for discussion (during the summer of 1981) was founded on 17 February 1982, after the merger of three illegal organizations: LNÇKVSHJ-OMLK-PKMLSHJ into this political-national organism. (Ibrahim Kelmendi recently in his memoirs has written that the LRSHJ was founded by the trio: Jusuf Gërvalla – Kadri Zeka – Ibrahim Kelmendi, one day before the assassination (on 17 January 1982) in Untergrupenbach, Germany).
– In 1986 the LRSHJ takes the name: Popular Movement for the Republic of Kosovo in Yugoslavia and within its framework (in Kosovo) operated a series of groupings with various names, which aimed at any cost to realize the Republic of Kosovo, as a step towards the realization of the National Union. Meanwhile in the West two movements operated: the Movement with an address and the one without an address!
The activists of the National Movement in the period 1981-1990 operated in Kosovo with the other Albanian areas. In reality, some of them operated illegally, some had fallen into prisons, some had fallen as martyrs, while the other part operated in the Western states.
They were: Adem Demaçi, Jusuf Gërvalla, Kadri Zeka, Bardhosh Gërvalla, Ibrahim Kelmendi, Remzi Ademaj, Rexhep Mala, Nuhi Berisha, Ismail Haradinaj, Hasan Ukëhaxhaj, Jashar Salihu, Xhavit Hoxha, Hydajet Hyseni, Jakup Krasniqi, Mehmet Hajrizi, Gani Sylaj, Basri Musmurati, Gani Koci, Bajram Kosumi, Ali Lajçi, Ahmet Haxhiu, Arif Seferi, Shaban Muja, Gani Krasniqi, Nezir Myrtaj, Fazli Veliu, Ali Ahmeti, Musa Xhaferi, Fadil Demiri, Mustafë Xhemajli, Sabri Novosella, Xhafer Durmishi, Hasan Mala, Kadri Abdullahu, Hysen Gega, Bajram Bahtiri, Kastriot Haxhirexha, Fehmi Lladrovci, Sami Kurteshi, Ismet Begolli, Shaban Shala, Halil Alidema, Ukshin Hoti, Mentor Kaçi, Kadri Osmani, Xhavit Haliti, Xhafer Shatri, Elmi Zeka, Azem Syla, Gafurr Adili, Xhevat Zeka, Hasan Mala, Agim Sylejmani, Xhavit Haziri, Saime Isufi – Bulja, Abdullah Prapashtica, Rexhep Maqedonci, Meriman Braha, Martin Çuni, Afrim Zhitia, Fahri Fazliu, Fadil Vata, Behajdin Allaqi, Ramadan Avdiu, Zija Shemsiu, Sami Kurteshi, Bislim Elshani, Afrim Morina, Sejdi Gega, Hysen Gega, Bardhyl Mahmuti, Bilall Sherifi, Rexhë Ibërdemaj, Bajrush Xhemajli, Emrush Xhemajli, Xhevat Bislimi, Hajdin Abazi, Fatmir Brajshori, Emin Krasniqi, Sejdi Veseli, Adem Grabovci, Enver Topalli, Halit Naxhaku, Gafurr Elshani, Muhamet Kelmendi, Tahir Hani, Pajazit Jashari, Fadil Lepaja, Januz Musliu, Ramë Buja, Xhavit Haziri, Ahmet Haxhiu, Arif Seferi, Ibish Neziri, Xhabir Morina, Beqir Beqa, Rafi Halili, Ibrahim Shala, Sadik Halitjaha, Berat Luzha, Naser Kuka, Xhemajli Berisha, Xhemajl Fetahu, Sherif Konjufca, Bajram Ajeti, Sabri Kiçmari, Ali Ajeti, Raif Çela, Avni Klinaku, Sabit Gashi, Valon Murati, Shemsi Veseli, Petrit Duraku, Ahmet Isufi, Beqir Beqa, Bashkim Mazreku, Nysret Pllana, Sadri Ramabaja, Azem Syla, Xhemali Berisha, Adem Grabovci, Akile Dedinca, Abdullah Zhegrova, Binak Berisha, Ismet Badallaj, Ramadan Pllana, Mustafë Krasniqi, Nesimi Elshani, Gursel Sylejmani, Sali Kabashi, Naim Maloku, and many, many others.
6. The sixth phase (1991-1999) is the most culminating phase of the political-military Movement in Kosovo,… and in the most recent history of our nation, it should rightly be defined as the epoch (period) of the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA). At the beginning of the 1990s, besides the legal political parties, such as LDK, PPK, PSHDK, PLK, etc., illegal political-national organizations also operated, such as: the Popular Movement for the Republic of Kosovo, the National Front (1990-1991), the National Movement for the Liberation of Kosovo, from March 1993… etc.
In the second half of 1991, for the first time in Albania, several groups of young people from Kosovo and other Albanian areas were trained, headed by Adem Jashari, Zahir Pajaziti and Sali Çeku. These groups that were trained in Surrel (near Tirana) were not organized by the illegal movement. At the end of 1991 and the beginning of 1992, some of them were imprisoned, the others headed by Adem Jashari and Zahir Pajaziti continued the resistance, while the majority went to the West.
The founder of the KLA was the Popular Movement for the Republic of Kosovo (LPRK) which operated powerfully in Kosovo and in the Western states. This organization, at its Fourth General Meeting, held on 26-27 July 1993, in “Kodra e Trimave” at the house of Fatmir Brajshori, in Prishtina – was named in short: Popular Movement of Kosovo (LPK). At this meeting, in the program of the LPK, a stance was approved, that: armed struggle will be the main goal for the liberation of Kosovo with the other Albanian ethnic areas (in the former Yugoslavia) unjustly left outside the borders of London Albania.
In the years 1991-1993, the District Councils of the LPRK (LPK) were transformed into the first armed units.
The activists of the Movement at this time, besides the illegal and legal political engagement (in political parties), also worked with dedication in preparing the circumstances for armed resistance. In this direction worked: Ahmet Haxhiu, Xhavit Haziri, Arif Seferi, Fehmi Lladrovci, Ramadan Avdiu, Adnan Asllani, Behajdin Allaqi, Binak Berisha, Abdullah Abdullahu, Bashkim Mazreku, Nazmi Llapashtica, Hysen Gega, Sejdi Gega, Durmish Gashi, Alush Shala, Sefedin Morina, Ilaz Morina, Zafir Berisha, Bedri Halimi, Xhevat Berisha, Naser Berisha, Shani Berisha, Halil Çadraku, Selim Gashi, Xheladin Gashi, Ramadan Pllana, Sokol Bashota, Fatmir Limaj, Salih Lajçi, Ibish Neziri, Ragip Shala, Rexhep Selimi, Mujë Krasniqi, Sahit Berisha, Isa Krasniqi, Asllan Pantina, Fatmir Brajshori, Hashim Thaçi, Kadri Veseli, Skënder Rexhepi, Fadil Nimani, Rexhep Bislimi, Behxhet Luzha, Qerim Kelmendi, Adrian Krasniqi, Halil Alidema, Sejdi Veseli, Avni Klinaku, Abedin Bala, Nait Hasani, Bajrush Xhemajli, Gursel Sylejmani, Ruzhdi Saramati, Ismet Badallaj, Besnik Krasniqi, Sheradin Berisha, Beqir Limani, Kadri Labenishti, Xhemajl Jashari, Ismet Sylejmani, Shaqir Shaqiri, Halil Selimi, and many others.
In this period the activists of the Movement created the supply channels for armaments, Albania – Kosovo, mainly in the region of Prizren and Dukagjin. At the same time they created lines for the illegal crossing from Kosovo to Albania, of the activists who were endangered by the Serbian UDB…!
On the line created in the border area of Prizren (Koretnik) in January 1992 for Albania, Rifat Jashari also crossed, after the attack that happened on New Year’s night 1991-’92 on the Jashari family in Prekaz! The epicenter of the guerrilla (after 1994 named the KLA) was in Drenica headed by Commander Adem Jashari. In Llap operated a guerrilla unit headed by Zahir Pajaziti, while in Dukagjin operated the unit headed by Adrian Krasniqi, Luan Haradinaj, etc.
– In the years 1993-1998, after the wave of imprisonments of members of the Movement (in August 1993…) the LPK – Branch Abroad (Switzerland – Germany – Albania) became the main factor for the organization, financing and genuine strengthening of the KLA units. In March 1998 the government of Bujar Bukoshi in Exile created a military structure called “FARK”, and during the war efforts were made to unite them with the KLA General Staff, but it did not prove fully successful!
The Popular Movement of Kosovo, besides being the founder of the Kosovo Liberation Army, also became the foundation of the Liberation Army for Presheva, Medvegja and Bujanoc (UÇPMB) in Eastern Kosovo, and of the National Liberation Army (KLA) in the Albanian ethnic areas in Macedonia, in the years 2000 – 2001./ Memorie.al
